The highly anticipated summer release for one of Xbox’s top games is nearly here, and it’s not developed by Microsoft’s in-house team. Instead, we’re referring to Helldivers 2 – the critically acclaimed, much-loved cooperative shooter from 2024 that’s making its way to Xbox at last.
Notably, it’s the first-ever PlayStation-published title to come to Microsoft’s platform.
Just as I anticipate that Helldivers 2 will make a spectacular debut on Xbox, drawing in countless players ready to contribute in the fight against Super Earth’s adversaries, much like Forza Horizon 5 did on PS5.
As someone who’s spent more than 500 hours diving into games on my PC, having been around for quite a while, I thought it would be helpful to share some advice for newcomers finding themselves in their initial skirmishes.
To get started quickly with Helldivers 2 on Xbox (or any platform), here are seven essential strategies to master the game right away. Remember them as you progress, and you’ll be victorious before long!
7. Be a team player, it pays off!
This advice doesn’t focus on a specific aspect of Helldivers 2’s gameplay; instead, it’s more about adopting a mindset that’s crucial for enjoying the game with friends or players through matchmaking. Although this might seem like common sense for a cooperative shooter, you’d be amazed at how many veteran divers I still encounter playing as if they were solo operatives.
In simpler terms, you can point at particular targets or enemies by aiming and tapping R1 button, alerting your team about them. Alternatively, holding down the R1 button opens a chat interface where you can use the right thumbstick to choose messages such as thanks or apologies, supply requests, tactical suggestions like follow or hold position, and so on.
Utilizing the Share button, D-pad, and X button offers an additional method to access your map, navigate with the cursor, and mark a destination as a waypoint for your team to find their path.
In addition to the overall gameplay rules, it’s essential to observe teamwork etiquette during moment-to-moment gameplay. Here are some unwritten guidelines that can help you:
1. During a four-player squad, refrain from hoarding multiple ammo boxes when resupply is available.
2. Pay attention to your teammates’ shooting positions and avoid obstructing their lines of fire or entering their field of view. If necessary, go prone or crawl to minimize interference.
3. Aim carefully and consider the safety of your allies before executing risky maneuvers or strategies that might endanger them.
4. Communicate with your teammates and coordinate your actions for a more effective gaming experience.
6. Fight each enemy faction differently
1. Terminid “Bugs”: These are biomechanical creatures that are highly aggressive and resilient. They usually swarm in large numbers, so focus fire on their leaders or high-priority targets can disrupt the entire group. Utilize explosives to take out crowds quickly.
2. Automaton “Bots”: Robotic enemies with advanced technology and powerful weaponry. Their shields make them tough opponents, but they are also vulnerable to EMP attacks that can disable their defenses. Flanking or taking cover to avoid direct fire can help you avoid getting hit by their return fire.
3. Illuminate “Squids”: The Illumine utilize magic and psychic abilities, making them formidable adversaries. Use energy weapons or spells against them to disrupt their powers. Infiltrating their ranks can lead to valuable intel on their plans.
As a tech enthusiast, I can tell you that Terminids are nothing short of relentless, swarming with an intensity that leaves no room for rest. You’re compelled to keep moving, dodging their onslaught and kiting them away to maintain a safe distance. Most of these bugs might not be heavily armored, but they can still be dispatched with your primary weapons or quick-firing support tools like the Stalwart or Machine Gun. However, it’s essential to never linger in one spot for too long, as their sheer numbers and tenacity can quickly turn the tide if you’re not careful.
As an analyst, I find myself constantly contrasting the automatons with our forces. Unlike us, who are numerous, they’re fewer in number but significantly more advanced. Equipped with long-range laser weaponry, they’re led by heavily armored infantry, tanks, and walkers. To successfully engage these mechanized foes, it’s crucial to fight from cover whenever possible. Precision in aiming is essential, targeting their vulnerable heads being of utmost importance. Moreover, stockpiling heavy anti-tank ordnance proves vital for dealing with their formidable armored units.
Lastly, we have the Illuminate, which is the most versatile among the trio. Engaging them often feels like a mix of dealing with glitches and artificial intelligence, as you encounter ranged adversaries such as Elevated Overseers and Harvester walkers reminiscent of “War of the Worlds,” that push you into cover. However, this cover is subsequently attacked by hordes of shuffling Voteless zombies and tough Fleshmob monstrosities that aim to drive you out of your position.
Maintaining a tactical approach that alternates between concealed and exposed positions requires effective management of crowds. Outside the Harvesters, Illuminate soldiers lack significant armor, making crowd control even more essential.
5. Keep your head on a swivel
As a researcher delving into the immersive world of Helldivers 2, I’ve discovered that maintaining situational awareness is pivotal to survival. The enemy might approach from any angle, making it essential to stay vigilant and constantly scan my surroundings.
To maximize your gameplay in Helldivers 2, it’s crucial to frequently switch to the third-person view and survey both yourself and your team. This enables you to swiftly eradicate enemy groups, strategically position yourselves to dodge them, or assess whether it’s wiser to retreat or push forward during a battle.
Making informed decisions can be challenging when crucial information is missing. Thus, always appreciate the importance of gathering intelligence, or in other words, scouting, since it helps in making well-informed choices.
By constantly turning your head (metaphorically speaking), you might discover hidden secondary goals that aren’t initially marked on your mission map. These unmarked objectives, like anti-aircraft missile sites or naval artillery positions, can offer strategic opportunities and advantages during the mission.
Developing a sharp observational skillset will be beneficial in identifying samples and resources essential for upgrading your strategies throughout your missions, while you traverse areas of interest and territories controlled by enemies.
4. Dive, dive, dive!
Try this out! It might seem basic, but I assure you it could be crucial. To make your Helldiver dive towards the ground, all you have to do is press the B button twice. The direction of the dive will match their current movement (forward if they’re standing still). This swift action causes them to assume a prone position. Don’t worry though, they can quickly get back up and carry on moving as usual.
This straightforward action, executed at the right moment to dodge lethal incoming perils, is an unparalleled defensive tactic at your disposal. It can help you navigate through predicaments where merely trying to run away wouldn’t guarantee survival. While it may not prevent damage entirely or leave you unscathed, there’s a high likelihood that you’ll emerge relatively unharmed with a substantial amount of your health intact.
Engaging in taking shelter behind obstacles is an excellent tactic against robotic enemies specifically, as putting any barrier between you and their laser fire sooner rather than later is beneficial. Once you’ve found cover, you can choose to lie flat or squat, allowing you to peek over the top while armed, significantly reducing risk during combat.
3. Choose loadouts and stratagems wisely
I strongly advise you not to let any community-imposed “meta” influence your choices and instead go with the armors, weapons, and strategies that seem enjoyable to you in Helldivers 2. However, for improving your gameplay, it would be beneficial to assemble effective individual and team loadouts.
In most cases, it’s wise to employ a combination of crowd control and anti-tank tactics when engaging bugs. If you encounter robotic opponents (bots), use loadouts that are effective against heavy armor. When battling the Illuminate, opt for gear designed to thin out large groups of enemies.
When it comes to armor for Terminators, light and medium options are generally preferred as they offer better mobility, with less impact on speed and stamina. On the other hand, heavy armor is not ideal due to its significant restrictions on mobility. However, in a stationary fight, particularly when using cover, heavy armor proves to be stronger. All three types of armor perform effectively against the Illuminate.
2. Learn and target enemy weak spots
A key feature in Helldivers 2 that adds strategic layers to its gameplay is the inclusion of vulnerable points on enemies. Notably, many of the game’s alien foes possess specific areas of their bodies that are either weakly armored or suffer increased damage when struck.
Armored Automaton Devastators can typically be eliminated by landing a few headshots using standard weapons. On the other hand, Terminid Chargers and Bile Titans succumb to a single anti-tank rocket aimed at their heads, while Illuminate Fleshmobs disintegrate if you destroy all of the “faces” on their gruesome bodies.
In the end, locating every opponent becomes a process of trial and error, but once you grasp their vulnerabilities, combat with them will be significantly more efficient. There are also community guides available for reference, and many players in-game are willing to share their knowledge if you ask.
1. Customize your weapons to maximize performance
Beyond personalizing your weapons more extensively by swapping out various accessories between missions, you also have the flexibility to adjust a weapon’s characteristics right in the heat of combat.
To perform this action, press and hold the A button, which will display a menu where you can choose from various options. The choices available may differ based on the weapon you’re using and the modifications you’ve added to it, but typical selections include zoom/range adjustments for scopes, fire rate settings, a switch for turning the flashlight on or off, and options for switching between firing modes.
In simpler terms, magnifying the view (scope zoom) can greatly benefit when using a sniper rifle, while adjusting the shooting speed (fire rate) of machine guns – either speeding it up or slowing it down – helps maintain a good balance between continuous firing and destructive capacity.
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2025-08-26 13:11